Airport Questions

[may_baby06]

I am new to taking a toddler to the airport. If your child is sleeping in a stroller, do they make you take them out to go through security? Can you take diaper rash cream (the normal size ones) with you? Do sippy cups have to be clear for them to pass it through? I know they changed the rules for juices and other baby liquids but i wasn't sure if they had any other specifics. Sorry for all the questions, I just want to be prepared! TIA and any other suggestions would be helpful!!

 

[ljhmom]

At our airport they made us fold up the stroller and put it through the x-ray machine, not sure about the diaper cream, our sippy cup had to be empty.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

As long as the diaper cream is 3 oz or less it can go through security. If it's not, then you can't. I don't know if you can get a very small plastic container in the toiletries section to put it in so you have at least a small amount with you.

I also concur with the previous poster, you have to fold up the stroller and put it through the X-ray machine and you cannot take any liquids with you through security. You'll have to take it through empty and then fill it with something you purchase or at the water fountains inside the actual terminal.

 

[brightvalleyjrts]

Yes, you will have to take the baby out of the stroller and put it through the x-ray machine.

I just pack our diaper ointment in the luggage that I check on the plane, that way I don't have to bother with it. If you feel like you need it on the plane I would just get a small little travel size one. Like a free sample.

And I leave my sippy cups empty until I get into the airport past security. They I will buy a juice/milk and fill it there. They have never said anything to me when boarding the plane about liquid being in their cups.


Hope that helps.

 

[tanyaandallie]

Yes, you will have to take the baby out of the stroller and put it through the x-ray machine.

I just pack our diaper ointment in the luggage that I check on the plane, that way I don't have to bother with it. If you feel like you need it on the plane I would just get a small little travel size one. Like a free sample.

And I leave my sippy cups empty until I get into the airport past security. They I will buy a juice/milk and fill it there. They have never said anything to me when boarding the plane about liquid being in their cups.


Hope that helps.

We do the same thing. Bring an empty sippy and buy water on the other side. From my experience children who are able to walk have to walk through security on their own and the stroller has to be folded up.

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

Bizarre side question here- is it true they even check inside your shoes? (please don't laugh i'm in the uk, haven't flown since i was a kid and someone told me this) if so what about the kids- i have 4 of them, only one who can do her own shoes well (nearly 5 year old is dyspraxic and has issues dressing, nearly 4 year old does fine *most* of the time but not with new shoes/buckles and the baby will only be 18m) and i have visions of trying to rush the other side to get them back on

(and yes... yes, i have biiig time anxiety issues about the travel logistics of UK to USA trip! )

 

[puffkin]

Bizarre side question here- is it true they even check inside your shoes? (please don't laugh i'm in the uk, haven't flown since i was a kid and someone told me this) if so what about the kids- i have 4 of them, only one who can do her own shoes well (nearly 5 year old is dyspraxic and has issues dressing, nearly 4 year old does fine *most* of the time but not with new shoes/buckles and the baby will only be 18m) and i have visions of trying to rush the other side to get them back on

(and yes... yes, i have biiig time anxiety issues about the travel logistics of UK to USA trip! )

Yes, you have to remove your shoes (including children/babies) and send them through the screener. You also have to send coats/bulky sweatshirts through as well.

We have always had to fold the stroller and send it through the x-ray machine and I carry the baby through. We empty the sippy cup before security then buy milk/water on the other side. It really isn't a big deal if you are prepared.

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

thanks for the reply- hmmm, time to buy easier shoes for ds1 (and the baby will be travelling shoeless )

 

[kim_o]

I personally don't take an empty sippy cup. I always have milk in mine. I know that technically you're not allowed to, but have never been stopped or questioned about it. Even if the baby is sleeping, you will have to take him out of the stroller.

 

[momz]

the airport was the most stressful part of our trip the last time (we are driving this time). we went in January, so it was very cold at home. anyway, our return trip was in the evening, after spending the morning and afternoon in the parks. when we landed at our home airport, the kids were sleeping (4 and 2). so my husband and i carried them to baggage claim where I sat with them and he grabbed our bags. they were still out cold, so we decided that i would stay with the kids and the bags while he took the shuttle to get the car. i don't know what we were thinking...when he got back with the car, he realized that he was not allowed to leave the car at the curb to come inside and help me with the kids and the bags. meanwhile, i learned that i was not allowed to leave my bags unattended while i took the kids to the car. so get this...i was expect to LEAVE MY CHILDREN UNATTENDED while i took the bags to the car!!!!! this "security" is absurd IMO. I completely understand the need to check the bags before they are loaded onto the plane, but the idea of leaving children unattended is absurd. It ended with an older couple offering to sit with the kids while i took the bags out to my husband. they were within my line of sight and the distance to the car was not far at all. In the end we got the bags and the kids safely into the car, but it was so unpleasant, that i won't be flying again unless it is absolutely necessary.

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

What if you bring closed water bottles and closed jucie juice boxes - is that allowed?

 

[ZeroMyHero]

I think it really depends on the airport you visit. I live outside of Chicago, and I know at Midway Airport they wouldn't let us bring any liquids through security. If you had a sippy cup with liquid in it, they made you dump it out into the trash. Even closed plastic bottles and juice boxes were not allowed. We had just bought water bottles for ourselves and had to leave them behind at the security checkpoint. We all had to take our shoes off but I was allowed to carry my three-year-old through security with me. The best thing to do is to come prepared to get through security easily. Go to the FAA website (faa dot gov - too new to post weblinks I guess) and click on Travelers on the right-hand side. It'll lead you to a list of what you can and cannot bring on board the plane. Hope this is helpful.

 

[snugglepeas]

What if you bring closed water bottles and closed jucie juice boxes - is that allowed?

nope no fluids over 3oz are able to be taken bast security sealed or not.

 

[may_baby06]

Thanks for all the infor. If you go to the TSA website, they have changed a few things about the liquids for a child traveling with you. It says about juice and milks.

When traveling with a child, in the absence of suspicious activity or items, greater than 3 ounces of baby formula, breast milk, or juice are permitted through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities for the duration of your itinerary, if you perform the following:

Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag.
Declare you have the items to one of our Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening.
You are encouraged to travel with only as much formula, breast milk, or juice in your carry-on needed to reach your destination.

You are allowed to bring gel or liquid-filled teethers, canned, jarred, or processed baby food in your carry-on baggage and aboard your plane.

 

[kim_o]

What if you bring closed water bottles and closed jucie juice boxes - is that allowed?

They have confiscated closed water bottles from me when I forget to take it out. But if I have water in a bottle (so that I can just add formula to it), I haven't been stopped.

 

[blessedby3]

We just flew with our infant DD and we had to take our sleeping DD3mos out of her infant car seat to let it go through the scanner. Also had to fold up the stroller. What a pain. I ended up giving my unopened Dasani water to the lady checking us through. She said it would have to be thrown away and I asked her if she wanted it since it had not been opened. She said thanks and took it. I bought another water on the other side of the scanner
The airport was definately STRESSFUL. We had the baby with us and 4 more older kids plus my mom and dh. I was glad to get done with that. It had been 8 years since I had flown with a baby- it was much easier then!

 

[Melissa_E]

In case you were thinking of using a sling instead, you would also need to take that off and put it through the x-ray while you walked through the scanner; the same with "leashes." Also, if your children can, they will ask that they walk through the scanner by him/herself, but that is only if they can.


You can bring a sippy or bottle of juice or milk/breastmilk for your baby or toddler.

 

[katyjeka]

Im probably off subject but I so agree with the above posters. Flying was the most stressful part of our vacation. We live in Pa., 2 hours from Pittsburgh airport and flew early Dec, 07. What a nightmare!!!! I was prepared and had just one very small carryone bag w/no liquid. We had no problem removing the shoes, but with 2 little ones and a 12 year old, it was a total pain getting them back on. They had NO seats or places to stand to put them back on, and we were told, not to politely, to get moving. Needless to say, our hands were more than full. On the upside, Orlandos airport seemed much more together, and had rows of seats, including chairs for little ones, so it was much easier. We were to take a cruise, leaving from Miami for our next vacation, but I can't seem to convince my dh to fly again. Yes, it was that bad. Have a great time. Janice

 

[jessica52877]

I will agree, flying was the most stressful part of our trip too. I was alone with my 4 year old, stroller (to hold carseat), sweatshirts and shoes. All had to come off, fold up and be put through the scanner. I skipped the laptop since that would have been more of a headache. I was prepared, but it was a process, I felt like it took a while to get through, they did put all strollers in one line though, so everyone was pretty helpful.

No liquid will get through our airport unless for a baby, older toddler sippy cups must be empty.

 

[bunnyscootles]

My advice is to prepare yourself for the airport like your going through security the whole time!! If not take a few minutes to collect yourself and get everything ready before you get in the security line.
Wear shoes you can slip on and off (SOCKS! wear socks!!), don't wear a belt, keep loose change in your purse not in your pocket. Keys go in the purse or bag. Try to not have a lot of stuff you can't stuff into a bag!!
The only thing I keep out and ready, is my ID and ticket. Travel as lightly as possible!!

Be prepared to take kids out of the stroller for sure! I took my 12 mo old in a carrier on my back, and was never asked to take him out, although we were waiting for it. We've been in several airports that were ok with it. Strollers are the worst though, I fly out of Dulles mainly, and it's a nightmare for those things!